Chapt. in. Position and state of ovaries. 25 



be positively said, but I should judge from the appearance 

 of the ovaries that there were three batches. 



Fishermen can judge for themselves and may be inte- 

 rested in doing so. For this purpose cut the fish open from 

 the vent to the mouth, and the ovaries will be found ly- 

 ing close against the back-bone. There is no mistaking 

 them, a thin skin, more like a quill in size than anything 

 else at first, with the little round dots of eggs evidently 

 apparent through. That these are in states of develop- 

 ment differing among themselves in any individual fish 

 will be easily recognizable; but which are more or less 

 approaching complete ripeness for being laid, can only be 

 learnt by the experience gained from comparison of dif- 

 ' ferent fishes. When nearly ripe the eggs will be hang- 

 ing more loosely together, and the vent will be inflamed. 

 After a batch has been laid the lower part of the tail, 

 and the ventral fin, or the fin on the stomach, will be more 

 or less worn, bearing marks in short of having been used 

 to work out a hollow in the gravel for the reception of 

 eggs. This ragged frayed appearance of tail and fin will 

 indicate therefore that one or more batches of eggs have 

 been laid, although others for future laying may still be 

 found in different stages of development in the ovaries. 



If the fisherman sees no eggs in the long thin quill- 

 like bag lying close against the back-bone, between it in 

 fact and the intestines, then he may be sure that he has 

 got hold of a male with milt. 



The salmon, we know, completely exhausts itself by 

 the mighty effort of laying at one time about as many 



